FAO mushroom farming

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and much less desirable, while others rot away. Pest and disease management The basic principle in protecting the mushroom crop from pests and diseases is prevention, largely achieved through good hygiene. As mushrooms are grown mostly in an enclosed environment, the risk of pests and diseases spreading rapidly within the crop is high, so it is important to monitor the crop on a daily basis for incidence of pests and diseases, to prevent losing at least some of the crop. It is also important to sterilize the growing room and the preparation areas on a regular basis. If and when pests or diseases are detected, control measures should be applied immediately. This may involve removing infected mushrooms by carefully picking them off without spreading the disease, then applying a pesticide. The type of pesticide required should be carefully chosen from a list of registered chemicals and used strictly in accordance with the directions given on the label. Further information on Integrated Pest Management is available from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) and FAO. Scale of production Growing systems should be selected that are best suited to local conditions and based on the assets available (see Box 2). Many species of mushrooms can be successfully cultivated on a small-scale, by farmers and other growers who have limited access to resources and vulnerable to risk. It is quite possible for growers to gradually shift from a low-cost system to a higher cost production process, with greater output, when they have gained sufficient skills and income. Large-scale commercial methods of mushroom cultivation require significant financial investment to purchase steam sterilizers, and technical equipment for sterilization such as auto claves, and often have Make money by growing mushrooms BOX 2 Flexibility in selecting a growing system is important In Zimbabwe, the Chakohwa Voluntary Mothers Group mushroom growing venture started with white button mushrooms. However, button mushrooms need horse manure in the substrate, but this was not available in their area so the project switched to oyster mushrooms that can grow on locally available materials. Source: Noble, N. 2005. Mushroom growing-a practical guide, Technical Brief, Practical Action. 17
laboratory facilities to produce spores. Species selection Although there has been a great amount of research into mushrooms and their cultivation in temperate climates, there has unfortunately been comparatively little on varieties suitable for tropical climates. Many commercial mushrooms only fruit at around 20 °C and are therefore not suitable for tropical regions. Suitable tropical strains are harder to obtain, but some commercial strains can be ordered which fruit at higher temperatures and local laboratories which manufacture spore will be best placed to advise on appropriate varieties and in providing advice on best planting practices. The key factors to consider when selecting a species to cultivate are summarized in Box 3. BOX 3 Factors influencing the selection of mushroom species Availability of waste materials to use as a growth medium. Not all mushrooms can be grown in the same substrate. Environmental conditions. Different species have different requirements for temperature and other environmental variables. Available expertise. Some mushrooms are more difficult to grow than others and, if there is little available expertise locally, farmers should start with easy species like oyster (Pleurotus species) which grow on many substrates and are easy for beginners; shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) are other possibilities. Available resources. It is necessary to dentify what necessary equipment (see physical assets) is needed and/or already available. Market demand. If producers wish to trade. Source: Adapted from Beetz, A. & Kustudia, M .2004.Mushroom cultivation and marketing, Horticultural Production Guide, ATTRA Publication IP 087. Key species and their cultivation methods Detailed in the following pages are a few species of commonly cultivated edible mushrooms that are of global relevance. 1 Agaricus bisporus The white button mushroom is the most cultivated mushroom in the world, of particular importance in temperate regions. It is grown in composted substrate and is commonly 18
Page 1 and 2: Make money by growing mushrooms FAO
Page 3 and 4: The views expressed in this publica
Page 5 and 6: Strategies for successful and susta
Page 7 and 8: each booklet identifies additional
Page 10 and 11: Introduction There are hundreds of
Page 12 and 13: Mushrooms and sustainable livelihoo
Page 14 and 15: The medicinal properties of mushroo
Page 16: Livelihood opportunities Trade in c
Page 19 and 20: FIGURE 3 Life cycle of a mushroom 4
Page 21 and 22: saprobic species. Some mushrooms -
Page 23 and 24: FIGURE 4 Incubation of mushroom spa
Page 25: y hanging wet rags at several point
Page 29 and 30: FIGURE 8 Pleurotus ostreatus (Photo
Page 31 and 32: and, as the spawn develops and the
Page 34 and 35: Assets required for mushroom cultiv
Page 36 and 37: A sterilized composted substrate on
Page 38 and 39: FIGURE 11 Mushroom houses with wall
Page 40 and 41: Strategies for successful and susta
Page 42 and 43: CASE STUDY 6 Product quality and ma
Page 44 and 45: CASE STUDY 7 The magic touch of a l
Page 46: new techniques and/or varieties is
Page 49 and 50: • implementing rural livelihood s
Page 51 and 52: shared investment in equipment, hel
Page 53 and 54: isk for small-scale producers, and
Page 56 and 57: Selected further reading Aletor, V.
Page 58 and 59: Smith, J.E., Rowan, N.J. & Sullivan
Page 60 and 61: Sources of further information and
Page 62 and 63: Federal Institute of Industrial Res
Page 64: THIS BOOKLET HIGHLIGHTS THE MANY OP

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